National Women’s Soccer League side Washington Spirit are being linked with a potential world record move for Paraguayan teenager Claudia Martinez.
Washington Spirit favourite to sign Claudia Martinez
ABC Deportes have reported that Claudia Martinez is closing in on a move to the NWSL playoff finalists, the Washington Spirit.
It’s reported that a pre-agreement has been made between the Spirit and the 18-year-old’s current side, Club Olimpia in Paraguay.
A fee has not yet been named, but Martinez has a release clause which stands at around £1.5 million.
The record is currently held by Mexican Lizbeth Ovalle, who joined Orlando Pride for £1.1m in August.
Martinez, who plays as a forward, would strengthen a Washington Spirit side, that lost to Gotham FC in the NWSL Championship final.
It also comes at a time when the future of Spirit forward Trinity Rodman is uncertain. The NWSL rejected a contract offer from the Spirit to Rodman last month.
Rodman could still sign a new deal after the introduction of the NWSL’s High Impact Player rule.
Who is Claudia Martinez?
Martinez is an 18-year-old forward who has already made a big impact for club and country.
She began her club career with Sportivo Ameliano in 2023, before moving to Club Olimpia in 2024.
For Olimpia, Martinez has scored 10 goals in 25 appearances.
She represented Paraguay in the 2024 and 2025 editions of the South American U17 Women’s Championship, finishing as the top scorer in the latter as Paraguay won the tournament.
She has also scored eight goals in nine appearances with Paraguay’s senior team.
Martinez finished as the joint-top scorer of the 2025 Copa America Femenina, alongside Brazil’s Amanda Gutierres with six goals.
During the tournament, she netted a hat-trick against Bolivia, before also scoring in games against Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela.
She became the youngest player in history to score multiple goals in the Copa America Femenina, beating the record previously held by Venezuela and Portland Thorns forward Deyna Castellanos.
Most expensive signings in women’s football history
The top 10 most expensive signings in women’s football history is topped by Lizbeth Ovalle’s move to Orlando Pride.
There has been a recent addition to the list with Sam Coffey’s move to Manchester City.
- Lizbeth Ovalle to Orlando Pride for £1.1m
- Alyssa Thompson to Chelsea for £1m
- Olivia Smith to Arsenal for £1m
- Grace Geyoro to London City Lionesses for £1m
- Naomi Girma to Chelsea for £883,000
- Tarciane to Lyon for £797,000
- Keira Walsh to Chelsea for £714,000
- Rachael Kundanji to Madrid CFF for £685,000
- Sam Coffey to Manchester City for £650,000
- Barbra Banda to Orlando Pride for £582,000
